Hi, Here's an update on the casino formerly known as Mountain High in Blackhawk, CO. Its now known as "Ameristar Casino". Seems that they just completed the name change, and issued new players cards in the last week. Players club remains about the same, though. $20 coin in on good pay video poker machines gives one point, $25 points to get $1 cash back. Players club lady said $16 coin in for slots for a point. They also give food comps, but nobody would say exactly how that works. I started with about 125 points, played another 30, and they said I could get a Starbucks. Not sure what that means, since we wanted some real food. The new steakhouse restaurant opened yesterday, Friday April 7, but was too busy and we didn't eat there. Looked good, though. There upstairs area is open with some VP, but nothing good. I did a pretty thorough scouting. There are 10 MG/MD slant tops out side the wall around the main bar with 9/6 JOB for quarters, fifty cents, and dollars. These are on the side toward the poker room, to the right of the bar as you walk in the front door. Seemingly identical machines on the other side are lower pay. There are some MG machines, some also MD, along the wall behind the blackjack tables with $1 NSUD. Didn't get an exact count, but at least half a dozen. Some of the bartops at the back bar have NSUD and 9/6 JOB for dollars, not fifty cents or quarters. Looks like the ones on the short side of the bar, and the ones on the left end (as you're facing it) of the long side have these pays. The ones on the right end of the long side are worse. Couldn't check them all, but about 10 or so machines. There are also a couple of multi-strike machines with 9/5 JOB for quarters between the front door and the main bar. Seems like the construction inside the casino area is mostly done, so maybe things will settle down. Forgot to ask about the hotel.

Lots of construction going on. Part of garage is blocked off, parts of casino blocked off, and scaffolding inside casino. But open for business. Construction is supposed to be done sometime late this year, but the players club booth attendant had heard various stories ranging from September to November. Hotel will start after that and may be a couple of years out. They're going for 500 rooms. The 25c 9/6 JOB machines have been relocated into a carosell in front of the cashier near the poker area. The bartops at the rear bar are not 9/6 JOB. Cashback on the high pay VP machines is 0.2%. Low pay machines and slots is 0.25%. Cashback is 25 points = $1, $20 coin in = 1 point for high pay VP, $16 for low pay VP and slots.

Ameristar Casinos, a Las Vegas casino operator, on Wednesday said it completed the acquisition of Mountain High Casino in Black Hawk, Colo., from Windsor Woodmont Black Hawk Resort Corp.

Ameristar buying Mountain High

Mountain High, .25%, $20 bounce back cash 25 cent VP player, double pts. once a week. 98.91% 25 cent deuces, 99.73% $1.00 deuces, plenty of Game Kings, free rooms, four times a month.

CB for Quarter machines is .25% - $4.00 in for one point. Locations: .25 JOB - All are MG/MD, Bank of 8 next to $1 VP area, Bank of 8 next to round bar in the center of the casino, Bank of 10 in rear of casino beside cashier--sign says "50 cent VP", Bartops--Rear bar These machines had NSUD in .50 and $1 did not see and .25 NSUD.

Cashback for VP of 0.25% reported.

Marketing Comps: Each month, Mtn High Casino sends out a marketing flyer to its slot club members. The flyer announces upcoming events/promotions and also contains coupons for BB cash (the flyer usually contains 4 coupons in denominations from $10 to $75 depending on your play - one coupon per day), food, 2x points (usually the third Wed or Thurs of each month), and additional drawings entries for cash and/or prizes. The casino also holds slot tournaments "by invitation only".

No hotel accommodations. Hickory Grill offers great food and atmosphere. Buffet is also good. Casino Hosts: Lisa Rolfes, Debbie Williams - both are friendly and very helpful.